ANet is a nonprofit dedicated to the premise that every child in America deserves an excellent education and the opportunities it provides. We pursue our vision of educational equality in America by helping schools boost student learning with great teaching that is grounded in standards, informed by data, and built on the successful practices of educators around the country.

Setting the stage for powerful adult learning

Creating learning opportunities for students is at the heart of what it means to be a teacher. But too often, we forget that it’s equally important that learning opportunities extend to teachers and leaders, too.

Creating learning opportunities for students is at the heart of what it means to be a teacher. But too often, we forget that it’s equally important that learning opportunities extend to teachers and leaders, too.

For a growth mindset to spread across an entire school, leaders must put themselves out there in the same way they expect teachers to. That sends the reassuring message that we’re in this together and that we all have something to learn, no matter our experience or background. By consistently creating time and space for learning to take place, safe from the pressures of evaluation, teachers are far more likely to open up and engage in thoughtful reflection.

Watch Chandra Byrd-Wright, principal at Dunne Technology Academy in Chicago, IL, to learn how she uses specific strategies and structures to create a school-wide culture of continuous growth—and how she empowers teachers to lead the charge.

Watch Robby Chisholm, principal at Condon Elementary School in Boston, MA, explain how he's created an environment in which feedback is the norm, and learning opportunities—for teachers and leaders—are a daily occurrence.

Use this planning guide to deepen your own understanding of how to create learning opportunities for teachers and leaders and help you reflect and develop a plan for how to implement this work in your own school.